Road trip anyone? The new Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet is a hot-shot, four-seater drop-top that boasts excellent comfort, a range of powerful engines and more sex appeal than you’ll find on a Californian beach.
The best thing? Prices start out from just £44,675. And while you can’t put a price on happiness, we reckon that comes pretty close. All you need is some friends and a destination.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet review.
The ultimate road trip car needs to have the right attributes, such as smooth responses, supreme levels of comfort so that no one feels fatigued after a long journey, and excellent road manners. The E-Class Cabriolet has it all.
That said, it won’t be to everyone’s taste, simply because, despite its cornering talent, it doesn’t engage you quite as much as a BMW does. That’s a shame, but we doubt it will be a major deal-breaker for most buyers who want to chill and soak up some summer vibes.
In terms of the engines, the entry-level E220d diesel model kicks off with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that delivers up to 191bhp. It’s a good replacement for the coarser 2.1-litre diesel that’s been dispensed with – in fact, it’s so good that Mercedes have added it to a number of their models. We like it; it’s quiet, does 0-62 in a respectable 7.7 seconds, and you don’t have to work it too hard at all.
The E350d model tops the diesel range. It’s powered by a V6 3.0-litre engine that comes with four-wheel drive and can do 0-62 in 6.1 seconds. Top speed is 155mph, but while this is clearly an exciting engine, it’s also pricey.
The petrol range mirrors the diesel range. An E300 model opens with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 248bhp and does 0-62 in 6.6 seconds.
That’s a smart time that will be enough for you all to feel the breeze in your hair, but the bigger E400 model with its twin-turbocharged V6 3.0-litre engine ups the ante. It delivers 328bhp, comes with four-wheel-drive, and does 0-62 in 5.5 seconds without any fuss.
The interior has been beautifully executed, with the leather and wood trim just two highlights. Buyers will love the metal air vents, as well as the soft-touch plastics. And while you might be thinking that wood is a bit dated now, it works well here.
Other highlights include the seatbelt’s, which have a sort-of “come out to meet you” feature, ambient lighting, as well as the AirCap wind deflector. The retractable flap is also worth mentioning. It looks a tad awkward, but it does a great job of keeping you warm in colder weather. Meanwhile, the dashboard comes with a pair of 12.3” screens if you opt for the COMAND online system.
The fabric roof is at the cutting edge of design, and benefits from acoustic tuning that helps to keep the car quiet, no matter where you are or what speed you’re flying around at.
For the best levels of comfort, we recommend paying extra for the air suspension. It’s money well spent. If you’re on a budget, you could stick to the smaller alloys and save money that way.
Overall, the build quality is a lot better than last time around, and the interior feels genuinely upmarket. In fact, the quality is almost on par with the S-Class Cabriolet, a car that costs almost three times as much to buy.
It was never going to be a super practical car, but there is plenty of backseat room. This is a four-seater that actually has a good amount of space for four people, and no one should get cramped on longer journeys. It’s longer and wider than last time, with our only compliant being the upright seats.
The boot, meanwhile, measures 385-litres with the roof up.
Standard kit across the range is good, and includes heated front seats, ambient lighting, LED headlights, and the brand’s Magic Vision Control.
However, to get the best out of the entry-level model, you might need to dip into the options list. We recommend adding air suspension, while the COMAND online infotainment system – which not a necessity – will make your life easier.
Euro NCAP hasn’t yet crash-tested the car, so we can’t make an accurate judgment regarding its safety. But it’s based on the Saloon, which landed all five stars when it was assessed. Moreover, Mercedes generally produce reassuringly safe cars.
Prices for the new car start out from £44,675 and rise to £55,910. If you want to lease the car, you can pick up a deal from as little as £460 + VAT per month. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, it would have been a massive thorn in the car’s otherwise golden side if it returned poor economy. It doesn’t. Sure, the most frugal engine is the entry-level E220d diesel engine, but this is a highly competent unit that returns 52mpg and emits just 126g/km of CO2. It’s powerful and affordable.
The smoother E350d V6 diesel model is more expensive to keep on the road, but returns of 41.5mpg economy are still impressive. The 2.0-litre E300 petrol model fares only slightly worse, returning 39.2mpg. The 3.0-litre, four-wheel-drive V6 petrol engine, meanwhile, returns just shy of 33mpg while emitting 194g/km.
Four Seat Heaven
Finally, a four-seater drop-top that actually offers comfort for all four people. Heaven!
Affordable To Run
It’s the ultimate road trip machine for 2017, so it was important that it was affordable to run. Its cheapest (but still powerful) diesel engine can return over 52mpg.
Stylish
If looks alone could sell, Mercedes would have to ramp up production.
Dull Handling
Mercedes have prioritised comfort over exceptional handling, so keener drivers will lose out.
Expensive Options
Not that you’ll need them all, but pimping your E-Class up will cost a fair bit.
This sleek convertible is manna from heaven, especially if you’re planning a few trips with friends or family. It’s a drop-top, it’s got four very comfortable seats, the cheapest diesel to run can return over 50mpg, and it’s full of power, verve and sex appeal. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is everyone’s type.
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8th June 2016
Over time, the Mercedes E-Class convertible has become the yardstick upon which all others shall be measured in this class. The ultimate driving machine doesn’t have anything that could be compared side by side, while the Audi A5 convertible isn’t really up to scratch. The new E-class convertible has undergone some pleasing revisions too that…
Presented by Will Titterington
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